Hd. Qrs. 2^d Div. 23^d A.C.

Loudon Oct. 22 1863.

 

Dear Father

                        Sergt. Huggins starts this A.M. for Michigan so I thought I would write a few additional lines to what I have given him for Mother.

 

            Day before yesterday (20^th) while at dinner Gen^l White recd. a despatch from Col. Wolford—Independent Cav. Brig—that the enemy had driven in his pickets & were moving on in force. The Genl. immediately left the table calling me to follow him. I was sent to certain batteries &c to get them in readiness & change their position. on my way back I heard firing not a mile from our lines. In the mean time the wires bet. here & Philadelphia, where Wolfords camp was, 6 miles from here, had been cut. The Genl. sent a Courier down for information but was fired on out a little ways & had to return. In about an hour more stragglers commenced rushing in on our right flank & shortly after on our left flank telling alarming stories of being surrounded & all cut to pieces. Our batteries tossed a few shells at the / enemy & night coming on the random firing ceased. In the night the enemy excepting their pickets fell back & yesterday we drove their pickets beyond Phila. found the body of Maj. Delfos 12^th Ky. striped of everything except shirt & pants as were the bodies of several more of our killed.

 

It seems that the enemy under Vaughn, Pegram, Buckner &c moved rappidly across the Hiawassa River & moved on Wolford in two columns on different roads one column attacked a forage train of Wolford when he, Wolford, sent out a strong support. shortly after the other column came in upon his camp in every direction completely hemming him in after making what fight he could he commenced to cut his way through which he did not accomplish until the third attempt. Come to sum up at night Wolford found that he was much better off than he expected his men brought in 103 prisoners & killed two to one of the enemy. He did not loose over 200 killed wounded & missing. The enemy do not seem disposed to come on to this place to attack it, & are now falling back again. they expected to take Wolfords command but missed it still they got his a good share of his wagons all his camp equipage officers bagge &c. The 9^th A.C. is moving toward / Kingston. I am very well. Huggins will give you the news. I write this in haste because he is waiting for it.

 

                                                With much love

                                                            Your Son

                                                                        Watson

SOURCES